Psychic Energy Channels (Nadis)

Psychic Energy Channels (Nadis)
According to Shiv Samhita there are three and half lakhs of Nadis in the human body and according to Gorakh Samhita, there are 72,000 nadis (energy channels) extending out from the spinal cord. The three most important nadis or psychic nerves (Ida, Pingala and Sushumna) are the energy channels which pass through spine and connects the perineum and brain. The three paths are also known as ganga (Ida), Yamuna (Pingala) and Saraswati (Sushumna).

The psychic energy channels – Ida and Pingala, are the two nadis which play an important role in controlling the parasympathetic and sympathetic nervous systems respectively. These nervous systems act largely unconsciously and regulates bodily functions, such as the heart rate, digestion, respiratory rate, pupillary response, urination, sexual arousal etc.

As per modern scientists, the human body has four types of biological rhythms – circadian (24-hour cycle), diurnal (day-night), ultradian (90 minutes) and infradian (over 24 hours). The ultradian rhythm is directly related to Ida and Pingala. Ultradian rhythm relates to periodic swings of mood, mental alertness, stomach contractions and many other physical and mental changes. This rhythm plays an important role in cognitive performance, memory processes, visual perception, levels of arousal and performance, mood, and individual and social behaviour.

Inhalation from left and right nostrils changeover periodically. Those people, who live near nature, generally have 90 minutes rhythm. But many factors modify this rhythm. In pranayama and meditative practices, the flow of inhalation in each nostril renders equal which induces the ideal situation for meditation.

During 24-hours day, flow through the Ida should pre-dominates for about 12 hours and the Pingala also for about 12 hours. During daylight hours, the Pingala generally pre-dominates and Ida tend to predominates during sleep at night. The path of Ida is concerned with the tendency to unleash mental powers, which are often used for selfish ends. The path of Pingala – the path pravarti marg – the path of external action and enjoyment. It is the path where one acts in the world mostly for personal gains.

Ida energy channel:

1. Location - Ida energy channel emanates from left side of mooladhara chakra near perineum, passes through spine on left side and crosses on right side at ajna chakra in brain.
2. Physical characteristics - It carries feminine, lunar, negative and cold energy. Breath for Ida passes predominantly through left nostril.
3. Functional aspects - It is associated with the functioning of the parasympathetic nervous system.  This system slows down the processes of life – heartbeat, breathing rate, raises body temperature. It mobilises the forces of the body for internal functioning, introversion, represents the mind & is associated with thought.
4. Spiritual characteristics – These are awareness, moon, subjectivity, white, tha, negative, coolness, inactive and female. Awareness is the witnessing principle, the actionless aspect that is associated with consciousness, Shiva or Purusha.

 
Pingala energy channel:

1. Location - Pingala emanates from right side of mooladhara chakra and crosses on left side at ajna chakra in brain.
2. Physical characteristics - It conducts positive and hot solar energy. Breath for Pingala passes predominantly through right nostril.
3. Functional aspects – It is associated with the functioning of the sympathetic nervous system. This system speeds up the processes of life – heartbeat, breathing rate, raises body temperature. It mobilises the forces of the body for external action, extroversion and represents the prana.
4. Spiritual characteristics – These are energy & action, sun, objectivity, red, ha, positive, heat, active and male. The universal prana is prakriti – the power behind all manifestation, force, energy and matter.

Sushumna energy channel:

1. Location - The third major nadi, Shushumna flows inside the central canal of the spinal cord. During changeover from one to the other, flows are equal and prana flows through the sushumna nadi.
2. Physical characteristics - The sushumna is a symbolic passage (nadi) which connects all the main chakras. It is regarded as connecting all the different levels of consciousness. The sushumna is regarded as being closed at its base near mooladhara chakra. This is called as Brahman dwara – the gate of the Brahman. This door must be opened in order to ascend through the chakras.
3. Functional aspects - It is symbolic passage through which the kundalini raises on its ascent from mooladhara to sahasrara. In the Shandiliya Upanishad the sushumna is called the royal road.
4. Spiritual characteristics - Kundalini rises when there is perfect harmony between the outside and inside worlds.

 
Kundalini:
In the Sanskrit the word Kundalini has two words – Kundala which means ‘coiled’ and Kunda which means ‘a pit’, ‘depression’ or ‘deeper place’.

1. Kundalini resides in the region of mooladhara chakra in human beings and levels below mooladhara chakra in animal, insects, plants and all so-called inert objects.
2. In the middle of Mooladhara chakra is a lingam called swayambhu lingam (self-existent). Kundalini symbolized by serpent is wrapped three-and-a-half times around the lingam. Kundalini is the potential or dormant energy. The coil of three represents the three states of energy (positive, negative and neutral), while the half coil represents kundalini as always on the verge of changing from static to kinetic manifestation.
3. Serpent head pointing downwards indicates that kundalini is asleep. Head facing upwards indicates kundalini has begun to wake up. The kundalini both binds and liberates.
4. While the kundalini is sleeping, the person retains a strong sense of individuality and self-centeredness; he is awake only to the world of name and form, and unaware of the untapped potential that is heritage.
5. When the kundalini starts to awaken and rise up through the chakras, then the person becomes more and more aware and concentrated. The fluctuations of the mind begin to settle and becomes calm. Eventually, when the kundalini is fully aroused, then the person is wide awake and in the state of super consciousness. The awakening transforms everyday life into bliss. The whole mind flow in one direction and becomes vehicle of bliss instead of unhappiness. The world remains the same but one’s changed attitude, feelings and awareness transform everything into a fulfilling, joyful experience.
6. There are numerous methods of raising the kundalini. The stages of awakening kundalini are as under:
   1. When the kundalini pierces brahma granthi, a wonderful bliss arises from the void. A tinkling sound emanates from anahata chakra.
   2. In the second stage prana enters the sushumna; the yogi becomes steady and wise like a divine being. Then the kundalini pierces Vishnu granthi and an overwhelming bliss is experienced. In the void the sound of a bheri (type of musical instrument) is heard.
   3. In the final stage, when the prana enters ajna chakra, the rudra granthi is pierced. The sound of veena (musical instrument) takes place like the sound of flute. 

Reference: A systematic Course in the Ancient Tantric Techniques of Yoga and Kriya – by Swami Satyananda Saraswati